Element Console Unable to connect to network

Do you have a network switch in line?  If not, then what order items come online could be playing in.  A network switch means you have an active network connection right away.  If the Element doesn't see a network as it launches the program, it says "ok, I'll go offline on that port, no network available."  If you don't have a switch, and the Element boots up before the Capture computer, there is no connection.  Then you boot the Capture computer and it doesn't know to look again for an active connection.

Do you have a network switch in line?  If not, then what order items come online could be playing in.  A network switch means you have an active network connection right away.  If the Element doesn't see a network as it launches the program, it says "ok, I'll go offline on that port, no network available."  If you don't have a switch, and the Element boots up before the Capture computer, there is no connection.  Then you boot the Capture computer and it doesn't know to look again for an active connection.

I'm using a WiFi router (netgear, pretty much the cheapest one money could buy) as a switch.

What IP addresses have been assigned by the router to the console and the other pc.

Probably one is using dhcp and got an address and the other is set to something fixed and is not in the same network from IP perspective.  

I saw a similar issue on other pages on the forum, but in this case the router is not identifying the element as a connected device at all. Tried with multiple known good ethernet cables. As well as that, as i said before, I can't change the settings on the element at all - they revert back every time i click apply.

The router is 192.168.1.1 and the PC is 192.168.1.2

The console isn't recognised. :( 

I guess you are seeing that from the router admin pages.

On the console on the About page does it show an address

I've seen routers being used as a switch filter out multicast traffic, which we are using to send data to the capture software.  This might be the issue.  If the router has a setting to disable any filtering the I would try that. Otherwise I suggest using a true switch or hub instead.

Just says offline on the about pages (sorry for my slow response!!)

Just tried it with an unmanaged 5 port cisco switch - No luck. Also, the element still does not hold any network settings that I select. Is it possible there's an issue with the desk itself? Perhaps a low-level firmware lock or similar that isn't allowing me to change these settings.

When you say is says offline on the about page is it saying "Assigned As: Offline" and then does is say "IP: " and something ?